Co. Down

14 baronies, Cited by Ptolemy to be anciently inhabited by the Voluntii or Uluntii, it was early referred to as Ulagh or Ulidia, being part of the early territory of the Dál Fiatach, Dál Araide and Uí Eatach Cobha (Greater and Lesser Ulster.) At what period this tribe settled in Ireland is unknown: the name is not found in any other author who treats of the country, whence it may be inferred that the colony was soon incorporated with the natives, the principal families of whom were the O'Nials, the Mac Gennises, the Macartanes, the Slut-Kellys, and the Mac Gilmores. The main Érainn tribes were the Dál Fiatach (in modern east Down, these were the descendants of the Ulaid of Navan), the Uí Échach (Ec Eghagh) of the Ards and the Dál Riata of north-east Antrim. Minor tribes included the Uí Blaithmeic (Ee Blahvic) of north Down. The main tribes of the Cruthin were the Dál nAraidi of mid Antrim and the Uí Echach Cobo of west Down. Minor tribes included the Latharna of Larne. The Dál Fiarach were known as the Ulaid to the early writers and the Dál nAraide as Cruthin, though the whole federation of these peoples was also known as Ulaid. It was coterminous with the modem counties of Antrim and Down. By the 8th century the island's clans had grouped themselves into five provinces. By the 12th century the principal families were Ó Neill, MacGennis, MacCartan, Kelly and MacGilmore.

The Uí Eathach Cobha were also prominent in Down and Monaghan in descent from the Dal nAriade. Modern county Armagh, the home of the ancient capitol of Ulidia (Uladh), that is Emhain Macha, was mentioned by Ptolemy as home to the Vinderii and Voluntii, prior to the establishment of Oirgialla by the three Collas in the 4th century. The river Foyle through Londonderry appears to have been the Argita and the Baan the Logia but in ancient divisions the south and south-western parts were included in the territory of Dalaradiae, or Ulidia, and the rest was designated Dalrieda; with the Picts of upper Antrim and (Scythia) Scotland.

For six centuries, therefore, the King of Emania was Sovereign of all Ulster and sometimes also High-King of Leland. The King of Uladh, then, who was crowned and proclaimed on the Crew Hill, had subject to him the Kings of Dalradia, of Dalmunia, of Dufferin, of the Ards, of Lecale, of Iveagh, and of several minor provinces. By the 4th and 5th centuries much of the western and central portions of Ulster began to be dominated by the tribes of the northern Uí Neill and the Oirghialla. The Cruithni (Cruithin) of ancient Ulidia were said to occupy an area of south Antrim and north Down, athough they are generally referred to as an early indigenous population located in various parts of eastern Ulster. Among the Uí Máine dwelt the Sogain, a Cruithin (Pict) tribe, and the Dál naDruithne believed to be Tuatha De Danann Celts. Also-the Belgae and the Kingdom of Connacht.

 

Ards (Lower)
  • An Ó Neill sept is cited here
  • Kentigern's (abt. 528-614) success as bishop if clouded by the fact that the bishopric of Glasgow has no recorded history for some centuries after him and he his not mentioned in the lives of Columba, David, and Asaph. According to Bede, St. Augustine's conference with bishops and teachers of the British church dates to 602 at Augustine's Oak. Seven British bishops and numerous scholar-monks from the monastery of Bangor-is-Coed met Augustine and his associated clergy.

  • As St. Maelrubha of Applecross was himself connected on his mother's side with St. Comgall, founder and first abbott of Bangor of the Irish Picts in the Ards of Ulster', the right to the abbeylands may at first have passed in the Pictish mode, and the O'Beollans perhaps have acquired the abbacy by a female descent or tanistry in the transitional ninth century. Applecross abbey was founded in 673 by Saint Maelrubha, abbott of Bangor, who descended from Eoghan (Owen), another son of King Niall. The earliest man we known of to have the comital title to Ross, was the rebel Máel Coluim mac Áeda.

  • The Cenél Aedha, of Cenél Conaill, a sept descended from Conall Gulban who are said to have given their name to the barony of Tirhugh, alias Tír Aedha, in county Donegal.

  • The Uí Echach were also known as the Uí Echach Coba to distinguish them from similarly named groups, to the east in the Ards peninsula (Ui Eachach Arda), and to the west in Airgialla.

Ards (Upper)
  • Very early the MacGillmores; MacGiolla-Muire (MacGillmore or Gilmore) possessed the district of the Ards. Grey abbey was situated in the Ards Peninsula, seven miles from Newtownards, at the confluence of a small river and the Strangford Lough.

  • Comber abbey was colonised with monks from Whitland in Wales, January 1200. An early Irish monastery, founded by St. Patrick, previously existed on the site, but is thought to have been defunct by the time the Cistercians arrived. The site of the abbey lies at the northwest end of Strangford Lough, at the mouth of the river Enler.

  • The Viking tide was turned by Muircertach, Niall Glundubh's son and successor. His base was the Grianan of Aileach near Derry, a circular dry-stone fort still in a good state of preservation; from here he set out with his army in mid-winter (hence his name Muircertach of the Leather Cloaks). In a vigorous campaigning career Muircertach won victories over the invaders at sea on Strangford Lough in 926, took and burned Dublin in 939, ravaged the Norse settlements in the Scottish Isles with an Ulster fleet in 941 and died in combat in 943.

  • Savage is cited here following the incursions of de Courcy in he late 12th century. The county continued chiefly in the possession of the same families at the period of the settlement of the North of Ireland in the reign of King James, at the commencement of the seventeenth century, with the addition of the English families of Savage and White.

  • The Glynnes, so called from the intersection of its surface by many rock dells, extended from Larne, northward along the coast, to Ballycastle, being backed by the mountains on the west, and containing the present baronies of Glenarm and part of that of Carey.

  • The Route included nearly all the rest of the county to the west and north, forming the more ancient Dalrieda. A right of supremacy over the lords of this territory was claimed by the powerful family of the northern O'Nials (now written Ó Neill), who were at length deprived of the southern part of this county, at the time of the arrival of the English, by the family of Savage and other English adventurers. The ruins of Antrim Castle can be found in Antrim Castle Gardens, a water gardens site that dates as far back as the 17th century; one of the earliest of its kind remaining in the British Isles the gardens feature an ancient motte.

  • Other northern septs: The Uí Echach na hÁrda, of the ards of county Down, are given in descent from Eochaid Gunnat in the Book of Leinster. The Cinel-Eachach are noted by Seamus O Ceallaigh in the Airghiallian kingdom of Uí Fhiachrach of Ard Sratha (Ardstraw, Co. Tyrone).

Castleregh (Lower)
  • The MacGilmores, kings of the Uí Derca Cein, were later centered here.

  • A O'Mulcreevy sept is cited here, as well as near Newry.

Castlereagh (Upper)
  • The O'Murrys (McIlmurray) were located here. The Compostition Book of the province of Connaught and Thomond (1585)

Dufferin

Iveagh (Lower-Lower Half)
  • Iveagh was anciently part of the territory of the Uí Eatach Cobha. Horses are significant not only in the origin legend of Lough Neagh, but also in Geraldus Cambrensis' story of the inauguration ritual of an Ulster king. Another Uí Eachach family in Co. Down gave rise to the barony name Iveagh, from the dative Uibh Eachach." and the earliest union of the Picts and the Scots (Connacht).

  • MagAonghusa (Magennis or McGuinness), lords of Iveagh. Noted chiefs of Airghialla included Ua Laidhgnén (O'Leighnin?), Ua Éiccnigh (O'Heany or Hegney), Ua Cerbhaill (O'Carroll), Ua Baígelláin (O'Boylan), Ua Anluain (O'Hanlon), Mac Mathgamna (MacMahon), among others.

  • O'Haedha (O'Hugh) is given as chief of Fernmoy centered in the barony of Lower Iveagh.

  • the Book of Fenagh and Leabhar na gCeart make note of an Uí Echach (baronies of Iveagh, co. Down) as a sub-territory of Airghialla

Iveagh (Lower-Upper Half)
  • The Oriel sept of O'Rogan is cited in Iveagh prior to the 13th century, as well as the O'Rooneys, O'Hanvys and O'Devaneys. In the 12th century, the Irish Annals note Ua Ruadhacain (O'Rogan) as chiefs of Airthir, an area which may have been more restricted in size. The Ua Ruadacháin were noted as chiefs of Uí Eachach (Echdach), tributary to the O'Hanlons at the time. An Oriel sept of Ua Ruadhacain (O'Rogan) is cited in (or near) Armagh prior to the 13th century. The Kingdom of Airghialla was broken up by the Saxon-Gall (Anglo-Norman) advance into Ireland in the late twelfth and early thirteenth century.

  • The O'Lavery sept, originally of northeast Ulster are found her in medieval times near Moira. In 637 Ulster's resistance to the Gaels received a near mortal blow at Moira and Dalriada lost its lands in Ulster after siding with the vanquished. Over the centuries Ulster people became the dominant population in the Galloway and Ayrshire area of Scotland. The Ulster-Scottish kingdom of Dalriada continued until the close of the eighth century.

Iveagh (Upper-Lower Half)
  • MagAonghusa (Magennis or McGuinness), lords of Iveagh. The Catalogue of Kings of Uladh states that no less than eight of them were descended from this Connla. The race of Connla, son of Aífe and Cuchulainn is represented by the Magennises of Iveagh in whose family the lordship of Iveagh was hereditary. His mother Aife was a female warrior from Alba, a rival of Scathach the Amazon.

  • O'Rooney is cited here early. Mac Giolla Epscoip (Mac Gillespie) was chief of Clann Aeilabhra, legislator of Cath Monaigh, located somewhere in the barony of Iveagh up to the 12th century.

Iveagh (Upper-Upper Half)
  • MagAonghusa (Magennis or McGuinness), lords of Iveagh, or 'Magennis's Country'. The Ua hAonghusa (O'Hennessy) sept of Gailenga Becc was located on the Co. Dublin/Meath border. The Gaileanga have an early genealogy tradition back to Ailella Auluimm (Oilill Olum).

  • The Clann Cholgan included the families of MacColgan, O’Hennessy and O’Holohan. The MacColgans (Mac Colgan) were chiefs of the territory around Kilcolgan in the extreme northeast of County Offaly. The O’Hennessys (O hAonghusa) shared the lordship of Clann Cholgan (i.e., their clan-name was applied to the territory they possessed) with their kinsmen the O’Holohans (O hUallachain). The O’Hennessys (0 hAonghusa) of Corca Laoighdhe were chiefs of a territory in southwest Cork near Ross Bay.

  • O'Gowan is cited here as noted in the name Ballygowan.

Kinelearty
  • Mac Artain (MacCartan), chiefs of Kinel Fagartaigh, or 'MacArtan's Country'. Ros Laogh means promontory of the cow or calf. The MacIntyres had settled in Glen Noe, near a promontory that had a rock in the shape of a white cow- a location known as the Clach an Laoigh Bhiata, or stone of the White calf in Glen Noe. 'MacArtan's Country' was also called Kinelearty in Ulidian Antrim. Of the tribes of Uladh, Kinelarty named for the Cenél Foghartaigh- Mac Artain (MacCartan), chiefs of Kinel Fagartaigh, included the present baronies of Kinelarty, Dufferin (Dubthrín) and part of Castlereagh, in county Down. According to Keating the Mac Artán genealogy derives from the same origins as the Dál n-Araidhe and Úí Eathach, his genealogy citing the line of Mac Artán descending from Sárán m. Cóelbad m. Cruind Ba Druí m. Echach m. Lugdach m. Rossa (of clann Conaill Cernaich).

Lecale (Lower)

Roscommon- Galway
  • Lecale, derived from the Dál Fiatach tribal name of Leth Cathail. The Book of Lecan notes the Monaich Ulad of Rusat, and the Monaigh of Lough Erne. Monaigh Arad, being called from one of the three grandsons of Capha, in county Down. The Cenél Maelche, a sept of the Ulidians of Dal-Araidians or Dál Fiatach, near Moira (Mag Rath), county Down, or in Antrim, alias Monach. The annals make note of Mac Giolla Epscoip (e.g. Mac Gillespie) as a Chief of Clann Aeilabhra, rector of Monach-an-Dúin, legislator of Cath Monaigh; later becoming erenaghs of Kilraine in couny Donegal.

  • The Cenél Aengusa were kings of Leth Cathail, according to MacFirbis, who also describes the Uí Morna of this region. As tradition has it the ancient Manaigh or Monaigh occupied the area near Lough Erne, giving their name to the modern county of Fermanagh.

  • The Monaig are often associated with the Manapioi (Menapii), a maritime Belgic tribe of Northern Gaul who are noted on Ptolemy's 2nd century map of Ireland in southeast Ireland. They spread northwards as the Fir Manach, or Monaig in Irish. O'Curry in his Manuscript Materials mentions Monaigh Arad, being called from one of the three grandsons of Capha, in county Down.

  • The O'Colter (Coulter) sept is noted here in medieval times.

Lecale (Upper)

Roscommon- Galway
  • The MacDunslevy (Dunleavy) family were noted here as lords of Ulidia. The Annals for Dál Fiatach cite. (O'Duinnshleibhe or MacDunnshleibhe). The Irians (or "Clan-na-Rory") of Ulster also settled several families in Munster, as early as the first and second centuries. The Craobh Ruadh [Creeveroe] or the portion of the Red Branch Knights of Ulster, a large territory which comprised the central parts of the present county Down, with some adjoining parts of Armagh. The Ulaid were the great Érainnian people who gave their name to Ulster, and it is they who are celebrated in the Ulster Cycle. Their direct royal representatives in historical times were the Dal bhFiatach of County Down, but they also encompassed the Uí Duach and Dal Riada as well. The Osraighe (including the Uí Duach and the MacGilpatricks) were of the same stock as the Ulaid, being descended from Oengus Osraigh, ancestor of the Dal bhFiatach. The Osraighe migrated to Ossory (County Kilkenny). The Dal bhFiatach or MacDonlevys (Mac Duinnshleibhe) were a warlike clan that held great power in County Down and South Antrim until 1177. Of the Clan-na-Rory, who, according to O'Brien, possessed the Craobh Ruadh [Creeveroe] or the territory of the famous Red Branch Knights of Ulster.

  • The Russell family dates back to the 12th century at Downpatrick. Downpatrick was originally named ‘Aras-celtair’ and ‘Rath-Keltair,’ one signifying the house and the other the castle or fortification of Celtair, the son of Duach; by Ptolemy it was called ‘Dunum.’

  • Leth Cathail is described as a subdivision of Uladh, the "half" belonging to Cathal, son of Muireadhach, son of Aonghus, son of Maolcobha, son of Fiachna, son of Deaman, a king of Ulidia. Literally, it was "Cathal's Half of Dál Fiatach". As such the early genealogy of the Leth Cathail is an offshoot of the Dál Fiatach.

  • The first recorded arrival of the Gallowglass was in 1259. Prince Aedh O’Connor of Connaught, son of King Feidhlim married a princess, daughter of Dubhgall MacRory King of the Hebrides.

Lordship of Newry
  • Septs cited in this area in medieval times included Haughey, O'Mulcreevy, and McAlinden.

  • The Haughey, or O'Hoey, chiefs were included as Kings of Ulster (O hEochaidh) prior to the Norman invasion.

Mourne
  • An old name for the barony is given as Boirche, or Bairchiu.

  • O'Machoiden (MacCadden), chief of Mughdorn, or Mourne. Colla Meann fell in this battle. Colla Menn had sons named Mennit Chruthnech and Mugdorn Dub di Ultaib. From Colla Meann descended the Mughdorna and the Dál Mennat. The Collas first went to their kin in Connaught [King Muiredeach] and there gathered a great army for the invasion of Ulster. Co. Monaghan. The Mugdorna territory stretched from Monaghan, where it is preserved in the name Cremourne (Crích Mugdorna "the territory of the Mughdorn"), south to as far as the river Boyne at Navan.

 

  • The Airghialla federation in addition, other places where Arghialla groups have been noted included areas within the modern counties of Tyrone, Cavan, Meath, Westmeath, Louth, and Derry. Their territory, depending on timeframe, included much of what includes the modern counties of Monaghan, Armagh and Fermanagh.

  • MacDunvany was a chief of Clanawley in Co. Down, their territory referred to as Uí Mughroin or Cenél Agaidh.

  • O'Laichnain (Loughnane) is desribed as chief of Modbarn Beag (Little Mourne) and cited as chiefs of the Dalriada.

  • The Mac Donlevys were a chief family in Down and southern Antrim, descended from Kings of Uladh, until the Normans arrived in 1177.

  • O'Ainbith (Hanvey) is cited as chief of Uí Eachach Coba in the barony of Iveagh.

  • Monarchs of Ireland with Ulster Connections

  • The Three Collas destroyed Emain Macha, which was never again used as the capital of Ulster.

  • Clanna Rory of Ulster